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WLPAN (Free verse) by Nicholas Jones
Because I learn my father's language On only two mornings a week I do not yet know enough for poetry And there are few words that I can speak "Dw i'n byw yn Abertawe Dw i'n dod o Manceinion yn wreiddiol" But that won't get me far And I've messed up the mutations. At first, the night after each lesson, I could not sleep Could not stop repeating what I had learnt "Sut mae! Sut dych chi?'" I wondered if it would lead me To a new world, to my ancestors Would make me belong here Where the Tawe finds the sea. Fortified by my small knowledge I walk the Swansea Valley With verses in my head But I only know the poets Of a century that's dead. When I was sixteen Dylan spoke to me - I felt the force driving the flower And had erotic dreams about the boys of summer I went on my pilgrimages To Laugharne and Cwndonkin Drive And wanted to be the Dylan of Albany Road. Now, I read Gwenallt, Late at night, very slowly, Word by word, pausing often To consult my dictionary, And his tales of the thirties Are made more poignant by my difficulties. But where are the writers, Fighting the words The struggle to say Fashioning beauty That speaks of today?

Down the ladder: Paintball's Flight

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Arithmetic Mean: 5.25
Weighted score: 5.1827645
Overall Rank: 4791
Posted: September 25, 2002 3:44 AM PDT; Last modified: September 25, 2002 3:44 AM PDT
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Comments:
[8] Christof @ 195.172.133.226 | 25-Sep-02/3:51 AM | Reply
Why do all the best Welsh poets write in English even when, like R.S. Thomas, their first langauge is Welsh? It's a vexed question - I looked at this in my thesis on Edward Thomas and couldn't really come up with one answer. The Welsh language is under siege, in literature at least, and has adopted a very insular mentality. The eisteddfod is such a retrograde institution, but what is the way forward? I like your poem. Speaks the very small bit of Welsh in me.
[n/a] Nicholas Jones @ 137.44.1.200 > Christof | 25-Sep-02/3:55 AM | Reply
Bloody hell, that was quick. I'm only half Welsh and grew up in England, but I still feel the Welsh language is in some way mine (which is why I'm attempting to learn it). Dylan represents very 'English' Welsh poetry, whereas Gwenallt is the authentic Welsh voice of the industrial south.
[n/a] Nicholas Jones @ 137.44.1.200 > Nicholas Jones | 25-Sep-02/3:56 AM | Reply
By the way, I love the fact it says I posted that message at 3.55 am. Where I am, it's just approaching lunchtime.
[8] Christof @ 195.172.133.226 > Nicholas Jones | 25-Sep-02/3:57 AM | Reply
Same for me! - 5 to 12. You catch me in an expansive pre-lunch mood... My grandmother was Welsh, which makes me only very slightly Welsh and I don't really feel it all. Only sometimes I get a little twinge of it. I got one from your poem.
[8] INTRANSIT @ 205.188.209.107 | 25-Sep-02/5:27 AM | Reply
Blew my wad on your other poem, liked this one too.8
[10] god'swife @ 209.179.211.218 | 25-Sep-02/7:27 AM | Reply
I'm falling in love with you. You are one of the few best of luck to you.
[n/a] Nicholas Jones @ 137.44.1.200 > god'swife | 26-Sep-02/1:34 AM | Reply
I wouldn't fall in love with me. I have nothing to offer except my rare sock puppet collection and love of chocolate digestives. I'm glad you like my poem though.
[0] horus8 @ 24.126.113.154 | 7-Oct-02/1:16 PM | Reply
phd? i wouldn't use this to wipe my feet or my ass..it might make a good present wrapping though..for one of those friends i despise with a sidelong smile..you don't make me smile, and your not really worth despising..better stick to badmitton..oh..and mr.thomas would slice his throat if he knew of your blatantly foul attachment.the praising of great writers is better left to great writers..not pretentious twits..
[n/a] Nicholas Jones @ 137.44.1.200 > horus8 | 8-Oct-02/4:39 AM | Reply
What's it like being you? Hectic, I guess.
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